" We do Not Oppose Reorganisation"
—BISHOP MARSHALL
The Bishop of Salford, Dr. H. V. Marshall, made a solemn declaration when he attended Speech Day of Notre Dame Convent School at Blackburn, on December 18, to distribute prizes to the students.
in speaking of the danger of Catholic schools being taken from them, he said, " We shall never willingly give them up. We shall maintain Catholic schools with Catholic teachers and a Catholic atmosphere." .
No one could foretell what would happen in the next twelve months. Re organisation was very much to the fore just now and, as Bishop of a large diocese, he said advisedly that he would
be delighted to see children kept at school to the age of 15 or even longer, and provided with the best that education could offer. But it was untrue to say that our attitude in regard to dual control was preventing reorganisation.
SACRIFICE OF PRIESTS AND NUNS FOR THE SAKE OF EDUCATION He recently wrote to twelve Catholic secondary schools in receipt of grants-in-aid, and ascertained that in these schools 1,370 scholars were re ceiving free tuition. In the last five years these twelve schools had put into the educational kitty £43,000. Many of their schools would not be in existence to-day were it not for the fact that the nuns and priests had devoted their salaries to the advancement of the educational cause. He wished to pay tribute to the Blackburn Authority, which was one of the most generous in his diocese in its grants.
Estimating the cost per student in the secondary schools at £30, the Bishop said some authorities gave them a capitation fee of £9 and others much less, but in no case did it cover the full cost. The Church had already done sufficient and the Local Authority should come to their help in providing facilities equal to those of the county school.
Sister Josephine, head of the school, said the increase in pupils had now reached its limit, a very large number of applications having had to be turned down. The total number (including. preparatory classes) was 600 and in the recognised school 491 as against 424 in 1939. Of these the fees of 269 were paid by parents. The local authority and the County paid the fees of 99 pupils and there were 125 governors' scholars. To find more accommodation the &Card of Education had approved the purchase of a house nearby.